XNB277 Exercise and Sports Nutrition

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

The successful application of exercise and sports nutrition knowledge in a professional and ethical manner requires a thorough understanding of the principles of, and the interaction between, nutrition and physical activity. This unit introduces you to basic and advanced sports nutrition principles and to their application within the sport, exercise and physical activity environment. It also provides a basic introduction to exercise physiology, building on previous introductory physiology. This unit provides you with opportunities to build, practice and provide evidence of your analysis and problem-solving skills for nutrition and exercise sciences.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Critically analyse and synthesise principles of exercise and sports nutrition. [XN43, XN45-CLO 1,2]
2. Interpret complex physiological and biochemical responses to physical activity and nutrition and the interaction between the two. [XN43, XN45-CLO 2,3]
3. Apply evidence to practical recommendations related to diet, supplements and performance. [XN43, XN45-CLO 3,4]
4. Demonstrate collaborative, professional communication, presentation skills in an interdisciplinary group. [XN43, XN45-CLO 4]

Content

Learning Approaches

The content and organisation of the topics are designed to give an insight into the importance of appropriate nutrition for all - from the weekend warrior to the Olympic champion. Most topics are covered in a comprehensive way using a range of blended, online and face-to-face methods of online lectures and two hours of tutorial time each week. Time will be allocated to both theoretical and practical questions pertaining to content covered in the previous week's lecture and to presentation of a problem based solving situation. These strategies aim to strengthen your critical thinking skills by connecting theory to a practical scenario and critiquing its application.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback to Students
Activities in tutorials will provide feedback on knowledge and understanding to inform your preparation for assessment. There will be time available in all tutorials for you to ask questions on any concepts covered during the lectures to enable clarification. Presentation groups will receive immediate feedback upon completion of their presentation.

You are encouraged to speak with your unit coordinator/tutor before or after class or to contact the unit coordinator by email with any questions or concerns about the assessment items. Responses to frequently asked questions will be made available through Canvas announcements.

Assessment

Overview

General Assessment Information
Detailed assessment item guidelines and marking criteria is included on the unit Canvas site. You are encouraged to check your work against the criteria well before submission to confirm that all tasks are covered in appropriate depth.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Sport Case Study (Written)

You will perform an in-depth analysis of a particular individual sport or team sport. You will interpret biochemical and physiological parameters, identify relevant nutrition principles and determine key issues and challenges in meeting nutrition requirements specific to the chosen sport. This individual work aims to provide the reader with a working knowledge and understanding of the sport and allows you to develop analytical techniques required for the second assessment item (Athlete Case Study).

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Athlete Case Study (Presentation)

In an inter-disciplinary team, you are required to choose and conduct an interview with an individual athlete or exercising person who would benefit from sports nutrition input. Using the skills developed in the first assessment item, you will plan sports-specific nutritional recommendations appropriate for the individual to meet their health and fitness or performance goal. The case will be presented in tutorial group.

Assessment: Examination

The final exam has a range of question types. You will be expected to interpret and apply knowledge of the principles of nutrition and physical activity, and their complex physiological and biochemical responses and interactions.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Burke, L., Deakin, V. and Minehan, M. (2021). Clinical Sports Nutrition. (6th ed.). Sydney, NSW: McGraw-Hill.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

XN50 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science

1. Design and deliver exercise assessments and programs to meet the specific needs of contemporary sport, exercise and health contexts.
   Relates to: Sport Case Study (Written), Athlete Case Study (Presentation)
2. Apply problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical reasoning to implement, analyse and evaluate evidence-based interventions for diverse clients and stakeholders.
   Relates to: Sport Case Study (Written), Athlete Case Study (Presentation), Examination
3. Communicate and collaborate to transfer complex knowledge to clients and health professionals in a culturally safe manner.
   Relates to: Athlete Case Study (Presentation)

XN51 Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology

1. Design and deliver exercise assessments and programs to meet the specific needs of individuals and populations across the full health spectrum.
   Relates to: Sport Case Study (Written), Athlete Case Study (Presentation)
2. Apply problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical reasoning to implement, analyse and evaluate evidence-based interventions for diverse clients and stakeholders.
   Relates to: Sport Case Study (Written), Athlete Case Study (Presentation), Examination
3. Communicate and collaborate to transfer complex knowledge to clients and health professionals in a culturally safe manner.
   Relates to: Athlete Case Study (Presentation)

XN52 Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology (Honours)

1. Design and deliver exercise assessments and programs to meet the specific needs of individuals and populations across the full health spectrum.
   Relates to: Sport Case Study (Written), Athlete Case Study (Presentation)
2. Apply problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical reasoning to implement, analyse and evaluate evidence-based interventions for diverse clients and stakeholders.
   Relates to: Sport Case Study (Written), Athlete Case Study (Presentation), Examination
3. Communicate and collaborate to transfer complex knowledge to clients and health professionals in a culturally safe manner.
   Relates to: Athlete Case Study (Presentation)